The solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) flying at the near space enjoy a long flight time and a high flight height. The air communication service system can be established when the solar-powered UAVs carry the communication loads and it has a great application prospect in the field of the emergency communication. This paper reviews the development of the solar-powered UAVs platform at home and abroad and the application in the area of communication. By analyzing the characteristics and the application directions of the communication system based on the solar-powered UAVs, three typical applications and their key technologies and benefits are analyzed. It is shown that the near space communication system can be constructed by using the solar-powered UAVs. The communication system can be used for the long-term wide area and is flexible in use. And it will play an important role in the field of the emergency communication.

near space  /  solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles  /  emergency communication